More Americans Drinking Themselves to Death

According to a report published in the Washington Post, more Americans are drinking themselves to death than ever before. The study found that more than 30,000 people died from alcohol-related causes in 2014. It was an increase of 37 percent over 2002.

In 2014, the year studied, more people died from alcohol-related causes than heroin and prescription painkillers combined. It is unknown if those numbers remain as elevated, but the current opioid epidemic may be overshadowing this very real problem. The numbers did not include deaths from drunk driving or crimes committed while people were intoxicated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that excessive use of alcohol is the number one cause of preventable death in the country. Over a four-year span, from 2006 to 2010, approximately 88,000 people died from alcohol use.

One thing the study did not detail was whether these deaths were due to binge drinking or extended use over a lengthy period of time. Ages of those who had succumbed to death by alcohol overuse was not released. While many consider alcohol to be safe, studies such as this one remind us all that it is best consumed in moderation.

If you or a loved one is dealing with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, our addiction rehabilitation center in Tampa can offer you the assistance you need. Call our center today to discover more about the ways we can help anyone struggling with an addiction. You don’t have to fight this battle alone. We are here for you.